Improvement in carpet-stretchers



S. THOMPSON.

CARPET STRETCHER.

Patented June 20, 1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPENCER THOMPSON, OF BYRON, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARPET-STRETCH ERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l.79,080, dated June20, 1876 application filed.

April 17, 1876.

ings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specifica tion.

My invention relates to certain improvements in carpet-stretchers; andit consists in the construction and arrangement of the various devices,which will be more fully hereinafter set forth and described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an isometrical perspective of thecomplete implement. Fig. 2 is a side view of the extensible arm, withrack and knee-lever. Fig.3 is a view of the under surface of yoke. Fig.4 is a view of the hand-lever or handle to yoke, and Fig. 5 is a view ofone of the adjust-able sectiOlIlSi A represents the extensible arm,composed of the bars a a and the rack I), placed between the latter. Therack 1) moves in a groove formed in the' bar a, and is operated by thescroll-wheel 0, so as to extend the arm and carry forward the head B,whic has a number of hooks or prongs on its under surface, for thepurpose of catching hold of the carpet and drawing itforward, so as tostretch it. The head B is provided with a pin, 61,, placed near itsfront edge, which passes through a hole in the forward end of the arm A,and also with lugs e e at its rear edge, by means of which,

able lever or handle G, for moving it, and it 7 also has a series ofteeth on its under surface, which engage with a bead upon the top of thearm A, and so holds the head B in any desired position. The handle G,having a claw at its end, is useful for drawing nails or tacks.

By attaching to the arm a number of the adjustable sections y, it may bemade sufficiently long to extend across the room. These sections aremade with sockets 'and tenons or studs, by which they are united to eachother, being securely held by means of suitable ferrules. Two of thesesections may be joined with a pivot, so as to form a toggle-joint orknee-lever, the extension of which will push forward the arm A andstretch the carpet, with which the prongs on the head Bare engaged.

In laying and stretching a carpet, the rear end of the implement isplaced against the mop-board on that side of the room from whichextension is to be made, the adjustable sections being arranged with orwithout toggle-joint, as may be desired. When the toggle-joint orknee-lever is employed, the rack and scroll-wheel are usually dispensedwith, as sufficient force is exerted by the extension of the lever tostretch a carpet to the requisite degree of tension.

The operation of the implement is obvious. By applying a suitable forceto the togglejoint or knee-lever when employed, it is extended in astraight line, pushing forward the arm A or the toggle-joint may bedispensed with, and extension effected by turning the handle of thescroll-wheel 0, when the bars a a in either case will be pushed forward,carrying with them the head B, and so stretching the carpet with whichits prongs or hooks are engaged.

.Instead'of resting the implement against the mop-board, as abovedescribed, it may be placed at or near the center of the room, and abearing obtained by the aid of theV-shaped rod E, which has a ring forfitting over the button It OIIylZhG first adjustable section, and isprovided with pointed hooks at its forward extremities for insertioninto the floor in ad- Vance of the implement, or into the mop-board atthat end of the room to which extension is being made. In this case theknee-lever and adjustable sections are not employed, extension beingeffected by means of the rack and scroll-wheel. The head B having beenad vanced by either means as far as possible, the carpet is secured by afew tacks until the position of the implement can be changed and theoperation repeated.

a handle, G, for operating it, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto affixed my signature this 31st dayof March, 187 6, in presence of two witnesses.

SPENCER THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

JAS. T. BOYNTON, WARREN J. TYLER.

